Olympic medallist to be commemorated

Double Olympic cycling medallist Tommy Godwin who lived and owned a cycling shop on King’s Heath’s Silver Street is to be honoured with a pavement star on the Walk of Fame on Sunday 18th May.

Tommy was a double bronze medallist at the 1948 London Olympics before becoming Britain’s first paid national cycling coach in 1964. He carried the 2012 Olympic torch through Solihull and attended the London games before sadly dying in November 2012.

A great family fun day out has been organised centred on Fletcher’s in York Road between 12 noon and 5 pm Local residents and cycling enthusiasts will be able to view an exhibition of his life and a collection of vintage cycles. They will be able to take part in a Watt Bike Challenge and try and break Tommy’s 1 km Olympic speed record. They will be also be able to be photographed with the 2012 Olympic Torch Tommy so proudly carried through Solihull.

As part of the afternoon’s activities Tommy’s daughter Kay Jones will be presented with a replica of the pavement star at an award ceremony at 4 pm by Carl Chinn and Olympic silver medallist Harry Reynolds. Kay said, “We are delighted that Tommy is being honoured by the King’s Heath Walk of Fame. He spent over 30 years running his cycle shop in Silver Street and was proud to provide a service for everyone from the elite performance cyclist to children wanting their first bikes. He loved being part of the vibrant King’s Heath community and it would be marvellous to see as many old friends as possible marking this auspicious occasion. How he would have enjoyed the recognition”.

Bob Prew who co-organises the Walk of Fame added, “We want as many people as possible to join a host of local and national cyclists in honouring a true sporting legend who made such a contribution to the King’s Heath community. We want the afternoon to be a wonderful celebration of Tommy’s life and achievements. There will be lots of fun activities for all the family to take part in”.